Tributes have been paid to 'a smashing little boy' who tragically died after falling into a river while throwing stones into the water with with friends at a popular beauty spot.

He was named today as Joshua Hazleby-Fear fell into the river at Quakers Yard near Merthyr Tydfil on Sunday at about 6.30pm while playing under what is known locally as 'stone bridge' which forms part of the Taff Trail.

It is believed the local boy was playing with two friends - a boy and a girl - when he threw a heavy rock, lost his balance, fell in the water and was washed downstream.

His nextdoor neighbour Daniel Richards paid tribute to the boy and said he felt for parents Graham Fear, 41, and mum Elizabeth Hazelby-Fear, 34, after such a horrible loss.

Beauty spot: The Old Stone Bridge at Quackers Yard, near Merthyr Tydfil, where a seven-year-old boy fell in the river and later died on Sunday night

Devastated: One local resident said: 'I grew up here and we used to play in the river all the time. It's numbing'

Dash to hospital: A Wales Air Ambulance helicopter took the youngster to University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, but he could not be saved

Mr Richards said: 'He was a smashing little boy and they are a really nice family. His parents will be devastated.

'We've heard that he was throwing stones into the river when he picked up a big rock which sent him falling in.

'It is tragic for them all.'

Police said the parents, who also have two other children were yesterday being comforted.

Nearby residents say they have been left 'devastated' waking up to the news today that the boy had died in an accident in the river just yards from their homes.

One of the children called their mother, who was able to pull the boy out of the water.

An air ambulance was called to the scene, landing on a nearby field. Police say the boy was treated at the scene by paramedics and airlifted to University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, where he died.

A police spokeswoman said the boy's death is being treated as a tragic accident.